This thriller is the second in a series, but it has no problem working as a standalone. Protagonist Matt Drake has all the elite combat and weaponry skills needed to wreak mayhem on bad guys, rescue people, etc., which makes this a wild ride reminiscent of a summer movie. It’s hard not to root for Matt and his loyal buddies. The relentless action keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next, and every chapter ends with some kind of twist or escalation. Often the chapter endings seem a little ad hoc, almost as if the author was basically finished writing that piece of the action and decided to finish it off with a little improv assignment--asking what the worst possible thing was that could happen next. It’s still effective in creating drama, even when you realize it’s happening. Some of the action scenes are completely preposterous, but that doesn’t make them any less compelling, especially since even when the overall situation is ridiculous, many of the details pertaining to tactics, marksmanship, etc., have the ring of authentic experience. I wasn’t crazy about the way the bad guys (and a few of the good guys) are routinely referred to just by their nationalities, which at best makes it seems like these combatants-to-the-death are just opponents on some sports teams, and at worst leads to simplistic generalizations.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital advance review copy.

In his debut novel, Don Bentley introduced the world to Matt Drake, a new kind of thriller hero, yet one still recognizable to fans of the genre. Without Sanction was a runaway bestseller, and I was glad to have followed the advice of so many on social media and give it a read. Drake takes the next step on his journey in the follow-up, The Outside Man.

I’ll be honest: I loved this book. In a private message exchange, I told Bentley I thought this was his Empire Strikes Back to the Star Wars of Without Sanction. The first novel sets the stage, but this one turns the volume all the way to 11 and takes Matt Drake, and his creator, to the next level.

After the events of the first book, this one opens with Matt being ambushed in broad daylight, on the streets of Austin, Texas, no less. There is a terrorist with a score to settle against Drake, backed up by professionals from the Middle East. Our hero manages to survive, but the ambush provides more questions than answers, and Drake is once again plunged into a world he thought he was desperate to leave, but finds his soul needs for him to truly be a part of. The villain we caught whispers of in Without Sanction is fully revealed here, and he is formidable. Worse, he knows exactly where to hurt Matt Drake the most.

One of the things I appreciate about Drake, and Bentley’s writing of him, is that he is fully human. He gets hurt, wounded, injured, and those have real-world consequences that affect how Matt continues his mission. Coupled with his vow to rescue an innocent from a sex-trafficking ring, and his snarky sense of humor, on more than one occasion one is left wondering, “Just how is Matt going to get out of trouble this time?“ As a thriller author, this is exactly what you want in your toolbox, to keep your readers on their toes and guessing what’s next.

Without Sanction was a firm entry into the thriller genre for Don Bentley, but The Outside Man vaults him into the band of my must-read authors, joining Daniel Silva, Mark Greaney, Lee (and now Andrew) Child, Nick Petrie, and Jack Carr. If you’re a fan of the genre, or just someone looking for a great read, The Outside Man is a must-buy.

5/5 fins
https://www.retrophisch.com/2021/05/13/retrophisch-review-the-outside-man/

The Outside Man is the first book that I have read by author Don Bentley. It did not disappoint. As a lover of Mark Greaney’s The Gray Man series, I must say I have found another person to satisfy my love of military thrillers. There was nothing that I didn’t like about this book. It was fast-paced, witty, and fun.

Matt Drake is a “former” DIA Agent who just recently left the agency due to some really bad things that happened on his last mission. While driving the streets of Austin, TX, Matt is ambushed and several highly trained operatives try to kill him. After narrowly escaping with his life, of course, the only thing that Matt can do is try to figure out who wants him dead. This leads him right back to his old boss, old friends, and a healthy supply of butt-kicking and gun shooting. Things get even more interesting when he has to be concerned about his wife and everyone else that he cares about being annihilated in the process of his investigation.

The Outside Man opens up with an action-packed sequence and never lets up. It was such a fun and adrenaline-charged read that I finished it in record time. It’s rare that I find a book that has everything that I could possibly like in it but here we are. If the other books in this series are anything like this one, Don Bentley has found a new fan.

I am such a big fan of Jo Nesbo’s ‘Harry Hole’ series, and this ‘Matt Drake’ series is full of the kind of action and mystery that’ll get you hooked. With some similarities, like an agent, who is simply fighting for his life, and trying to solve a case (or many). I’m into this series for the long run. The Outside Man is filled with mystery, murders, deceptions, and lots of action. It’s a page turner, that will keep you guessing. I cannot wait for the third installment! How long will I have to wait? How out and get your copy today! Remember to start with the first title in the series: Without Sanction!

Matt Drake in Outside Man again finds himself in chaos as he is being hunted and is trying to avoid being killed and find his hunters and their leader. He’s a former Army Ranger ‘badass’ turn federal agent and knows how to handle himself and is well connected to people around the world who lend a hand when he needs them. I was excited for this book since finishing Don Bentley’s debut novel Without Sanction. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations after Without Sanction’s success, but I was not in any way disappointed! From the opening sentence I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Matt Drake and Frodo’s strong relationship again inspired me to read on. Their biracial friendship and Drake’s interracial marriage are key elements of the series that I personally can relate to. Again, Bentley’s first book was fantastic, and he certainly didn’t buckle under pressure to do it again. The action sequences in The Outside Man are professionally written, with expert weaponry knowledge and his characters and their development get you invested in a way only the good, experienced authors can in the espionage thriller genre. Hat tip to Bentley’s character development, especially the diversity aspect. You hate the bad guys as much as you like the good guys and I love the Virginia Kenyon character, the chemistry professor that really adds a lot of value to this spy thriller. She’s a major supporting character in both novels. And I have a special admiration for the Matt Drake character, and the humanity he displays while forging through a hectic and extremely dangerous lifestyle. The book opens with a bang and never lets up, page after page. But it’s the characters that make you continue through each chapter. You want Drake and his cohorts to succeed because the writing makes you care about the victims and despise the villains at the same time. Bentley writes with the amazing accuracy of an experienced warrior and probably one of the most realistic and relatable protagonists in the thriller genre. Without Sanction, was remarkable, but this one is even better! The Outside Man was a great follow-up to Without Sanction. I’m also excited to read Bentley’s first addition to the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Jr. series later this year! I received a digital copy of The Outside Man via NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

In the book The Outside Man, author Don Bentley writes about Matt Drake who is in the fight for his life and family. Who is behind it all? As Matt searches for answer, his journey takes him to the Middle East where he begins to hunt the man behind the curtain, simply known as The Devil.
This is an edge of your seat book that kept my interest. But the hard language was way overdone and very distracting. Tone down the language and it would be a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

BLUF: Outside Man doesn’t read like a sophomoric effort. (Let me rephrase that, because there is nothing puerile about Matt Drake.) This book hits harder than a follow-on to the wildly successful debut Without Sanction. Bentley is a master of hooking you quick and delivering at a blistering pace from cover to cover.

When I first met Matt Drake in Without Sanction, I knew I would like him. His banter with FBI Special Agent Rawlings was just a glimpse into the psyche of a no-nonsense protagonist who would stop at nothing to accomplish his mission. Add in the even wittier banter (and much appreciated Top Gun quotes) from his sidekick and former Delta operator, Frodo, and Don Bentley had completed the winning formula for a kick-ass duo.

I’m just warning you now: When you pick up Outside Man, be prepared to lose a few hours of your life. You’ll look up from the pages (probably due to an alarm from your stomach or bladder) and feel like you’ve traveled through time. Fair warning.

Matt Drake doesn’t need to go looking for trouble. It comes looking for him. And when a mundane drive through Austin, Texas, on his way to meet his wife for an anniversary dinner, turns into a shootout with trained killers, trouble finds him. But it becomes something more sinister than mere trouble when the lead assassin turns out to be somebody from his past.

Drake turns to Frodo, like he always does, knowing that his best friend will help him uncover the reason an assassin from the middle east would travel to Texas to eliminate somebody who’s been out of the game. Is it as simple as revenge? Or is there another reason Matt is pulled out of retirement and back into the world of intelligence?

Bentley spins a web of mystery with clues that lead Drake from Austin to D.C. and back to the middle east. A familiar cast of characters returns to the pages to either assist or thwart (and sometimes both) Drake in his effort to get to the bottom of the conspiracy. But a conspiracy to do what exactly?

One of the greatest attributes of this book is that the stakes aren’t immediately clear. With each clue that Drake uncovers, another piece of the plot is unveiled, ratcheting the stakes even higher. The one thing that is clear, is that for Drake to ever hope for a life of peace and keep those he loves safe, he must risk everything and enter the world of human trafficking with nothing but the support of mercenaries and scoundrels – and kill the Devil.

Don Bentley’s debut novel was a tough one to top. I even braced myself for disappointment as I tore through this book, waiting for the opportunity to admit to myself that he was a one-hit-wonder. That opportunity never came. Outside Man is a fantastic read on its own, but proof that Bentley’s Matt Drake will continue to deliver for many more to come. Don’t wait. Read this book. You won’t regret it.

For Don Bentley’s second Matt Drake novel, The Outside Man, hold on to your hats because Bentley hits the throttle from chapter one and doesn’t let off! Bentley penned a wild ride in this installment, and he cemented that Matt Drake should be added in the lineup of literary greats in the thriller genre. The Outside Man is told entirely through first person point of view, and the reader gets Matt Drake’s full snarky attitude on display. This is a welcome comic relief when things really hit the fan for Drake and crew!

The Outside Man starts off with former DIA agent Matt Drake pondering what’s next in his life after the DIA. He has given up so much for his country, and now he gets to spend quality time with his beautiful wife. However, when Drake is caught in an ambush in the streets of Austin, Texas, he gets a glimpse of what he has been missing...action and excitement that only the work can provide. As Drake sleuths through who was behind this audacious hit, he discovers this goes much deeper and involves a dangerous person from his past. To find answers, Drake will be pushed in the most unimaginable ways.

The Outside Man is a crazy fast read! If you are looking for a high adventure, high stakes read, this is your novel. This is book two in the Matt Drake series, and I can’t wait to see what Don Bentley has in store for us next!

Reviewed for Best Thriller Books

Whew!!! What a scorching ride!! You start slowly, smoothly...Then before you have time to breathe you are whipped around twists and turns, shocked by all that is happening...Until ...Bang!! You crash...Needing time to reassess...Do what needs to be done before the ride goes on...Then another smashing moment...Where you are in a place ready to do your thing...But see a something you Never expected...And your heart will Not stop beating So very fast...
Matt Drake has been in dangerous situations many times before, but Nothing prepares him for the fight of his life...Especially as he has been dormant, on a leave of absence, trying to find peace and harmony with his wife, Laila. So when a team of highly trained operatives attempt to kill him...In the middle of the day on the quiet streets of Austin, Texas, he is definitely off on the wrong foot...But he is able to think and show the spectacular skills he once used daily...And the case of his life pushes him to reunite with his old partner, Frodo, and once again put his badass self up against those who want him dead...But the bodies are many, the answers few, and a back-stabbing moments he never sees coming...
A thrill ride like none other...Gritty, down to earth, bloodshed and amazing action...You absolutely can Not tear your eyes away from the page from the surprising start through mayhem and lies until the fiery ending...A book You need to read, an adventure you cannot forget...
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the author Don Bentley, who i thank for a smashing read and intro to a new to me author who I am thrilled to keep reading, and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review. Out March 2, 2021...Be Ready to read All Day!!!!

Bentley does a fascinating job following up his debut Without Sanction showing how versatile main character Matt Drake is. He’s been beat up, on the run, and now he’s just trying to take a break. That all changes on a nice brisk February day in Austin, Texas while he is minding his own business. Driving around Austin in beautiful weather things go sideways real quick, almost landing Drake in a ton of trouble with local law enforcement after the shooting of a police officer. Drake’s wife Laila is aware of his job, so much so that it is an easy over dinner casual conversation. You get to see a real-life how a spouse cares for someone but knows there is something going in inside the head of her husband. The interaction shows us that Drake is missing something, maybe his career, maybe the thrill, but he’s immediately tasked following the come to Jesus meeting with his wife.
Drake is soon on the hunt, trying to find any lead to understand why he was targeted and by whom which leads him all over the world. High rollers, gun battles, bad guys galore, and one small problem, one of extreme importance happens to find it’s way right into Drakes wheelhouse, one he never thought he’d have to fight for. Bentley keeps the pace up, facts straight, and undeniably has you cheering for Matt Drake to wreck shop. I enjoyed Without Sanction; this one shows Bentley is capable of bringing top tier thriller material to life again. He drops one of the largest twists that I actually cringed at, it was a roller coaster ride the whole time while rooting for Matt Drake.

I enjoyed this more than the debut novel. Bentley's writing is improving which each novel, and I'm excited with what's next.

With The Outside Man, Don Bentley manages to do something not many authors do by following up a fantastic debut novel with an equally good if not better second novel. From page 1, this book goes at an action movie pace and dials up the action to an 11. Matt Drake is one tough character and someone I cant wait to follow in many future novels. Highly recommend for all the fans of high octane thrillers.

I just reviewed The Outside Man by Don Bentley. #TheOutsideMan #NetGalley - Non-stop action right from the start. The book is very fast and very detailed. I highly recommend it to those that are looking for a nail biter.

The Outside Man is the much-anticipated sequel to Don Bentley’s superb debut action novel, Without Sanction, and a must read in 2021! This book is an all gas, no breaks, high octane thriller with a “Ludicrous Speed” pace like a bat out of hell. It unapologetically propels the reader forward from one insane action sequence to the next if for no other reason than to see if Matt Drake can survive, let alone save the day. Do yourself a favor and preorder this book now and set aside March 2, 2021 to dive into this book and get lost in the thrilling adventure.

The Outside Man picks up with Matt Drake on a “leave of absence” about a year after the trials and tribulations he endured in Without Sanction. He’s working through some stuff, licking his proverbial wounds and trying to figure out what to do with his life when someone tries to assassinate him on the streets of Austin, TX. This pulls Matt back into the DIA and sets of a chain of events that compels him to attempt saving a sex trafficking victim in the Middle East while simultaneously trying to take out those who would do him harm. As the operation unfolds, Matt comes face to face with The Devil, the leader of an evil terror conglomerate, who previously condemned Matt to death only for him to escape. Now The Devil wants to finish the job, but first tries to use Matt to take care of a little business for him, compelling him to comply through nefarious means. Will Matt Drake’s resourcefulness and indefatigable drive lead to a successful mission outcome? You’ll just have to read to find out.

Beyond the gritty action, and there is plenty of it, this book does a great job of introducing emotional plot twists at key inflection points. This gives the reader a reason to not only root for the good guys to win, but permission to root for them to annihilate every bad guy in their path without mercy. Simply put, it gives the reader “the feels”, something you don’t normally expect from a military/spy thriller that features a deadly, sarcastic protagonist who gets blown up more times than a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon.

On that last point I will call out that, in my opinion, this book leaves reality in the rear-view mirror at some point and the reader needs to suspend disbelief to truly appreciate the book. But who gives a damn when the ride is insanely fun? Just strap in, hold on tight and enjoy the ride! Trust me, The Outside Man kicks ass and will be a crowd pleaser for sure.

Oh my goodness! Don Bentley has done it AGAIN!!! I didn’t think Matt Drake could get anymore badass than Without Sanction but he stepped it up a notch with the Outside Man! Matt Drake is a man on a mission and no one will stop him in accomplishing his goal of bringing down a sex trafficking ring. Non-stop action and Don beautifully crafts in some humor which is so unique within the terrorism genre of writing. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this early and readers should be getting their pre-orders in for this book that will be hitting shelves in March. If you enjoy military action thrillers this needs to go to the top of your TBR pile!!!! @bentleydonb

What a rollercoaster this book brings to the table. It picks up after the first book in the series, Without Sanction, and just plows ahead with the story. Thriller fans will love this book and there were definitely parts of the plot that surprised me that I did not see coming, definitely a must read!

Don Bentley's The Outside Man, the 2nd book in the Matt Drake series, is terrific. It's hard to believe this is only Bentley's second book. Smart and wickedly funny, the pacing is quick but really picks up in the closing half. Drake is a fantastic character who grows and evolves as the book progresses, which is highlighted by his inner monologue. You can tell Bentley knows what he is talking about because the writing feels authentic and isn't forced.
The Outside Man shows how talented Bentley is and I look forward to what he has in store for Drake a as well as his upcoming Tom Clancy books.

I am thankful to NetGalley for the Advanced Review Copies it provides me. I have read many good books through this, and I approach every new one with a desire to like it. The Outside Man had me infuriated by the end of the first third. The story centers on Drake, who almost immediately in the story is attacked by assassins in downtown Austin, Texas. That scenario was ludicrous, But it did provide the opportunity for Drake to leave his wife during their anniversary dinner and go back to work for some Defense Intelligence agency unit chaired by an oddball boss with one eye. We meet Frodo through this as well. He is a Black man with one arm and a large, shaggy dog.. So we have the lovable and cute characters, the threat of an assassin, and all we need is a plot. Well, I don't want to overuse the word ludicrous, but Drake has a nemesis who happens to be under consideration to head the CIA. Drake gets an FBI agent to illegally ping the nemesis' cell phone, and we find it located at a strip club. But instead of finding him, we find a woman bound and gagged and being beaten. As Drake saves her and kills her oppressor, other bad guys appear and three more are dead. Just not the CIA candidate.
All of this leads to Drake finding a friend, Virginia, to talk to the freed hostage. Skipping forward, we learn of a 15-year old sister being sold on...well, Facebook! So Drake and Frodo and Virginia meet with Frodo and his girl friend, a NSA agent, and they concoct a plan to have Drake, Virginia, and Elizabeth go to Irag to save the 15-year old. They will steal funds from the DIA to pay for this. At that point I realized that I had no interest in this escapade. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I got this as an advance ebook copy from NetGalley in return for a review.

This story starts with Matt Drake getting into a skirmish on the way to an anniversary dinner with his wife. The adventure turns into a hunt for sex traffickers and the rescue of a victim. The situations that Matt finds himself in and the help from unexpected allies makes this another excellent thriller by Don Bentley. A definite must read!

An absolutely blistering sequel to Without Sanction! When it comes to the first sequel in a new series, Don has hit it out of the park by thrusting you straight into the action and keeping the tempo going from start to finish. The Outside Man does a terrific job of keeping you hooked into the storyline. The attention to detail paints a vivid picture and does a great job of showcasing the experience and knowledge Don has put into this stunning sequel.
An altogether more personal mission for Drake this time, that pulls no punches as he finds himself unable to turn away from his past life at the DIA. Feeling the heat on his back having just survived an ambush, Drake is pulled back into the fold and goes on the hunt with a story that excels at keeping you burning through the chapters.
I am very much looking forward to what I hope will be a book 3 and more to this series!